My blog provides alternative view on Kashmir dispute and politics of South Asia, especially India Pakistan relations. It aims to educate people that they can make informed judgements.

Sunday, 18 March 2018

The Bajwa Doctrine from chauvinism to realism, Suhail Warraich

The Bajwa Doctrine from chauvinism to
realism, Suhail
Warraich

After
70 years of extreme chauvinism, we are finally into the doctrine of realism
which focuses on the peaceful coexistence with the neighbouring
countries.

The Bajwa Doctrine, initiated by the
rationalistic and logical Gen Qamar Bajwa and his equally able team of the top
military command, is all about realising the changes taking place around the
country and reshaping policies according to the needs of the modern times.

The doctrine is very clear about the
democratic future of the country. Believing in the importance of the
constitution, the doctrine wants to ensure the proper respect of all the
institutions of the state. The years of collective experience of the military
have proved that the supremacy of law is a major deterrent against terrorism.

It is a considered view of the command that the
capacity of civilian institutions like Police, Civil Services and civil
intelligence agencies needs to be enhanced for strengthening the country.

International Vision:

It was very courageous on the part of Gen Bajwa to tell
the Afghan authorities in unequivocal terms that Pakistan has no expansionist
designs about Afghanistan. This doctrine openly abandoned the idea (if it ever
existed) of strategic depth and Afghanistan as the fifth province of Pakistan. The
Bajwa Doctrine seeks total peace on western borders and wants to make Iran
and Afghanistan as its erstwhile allies. Gen Bajwa has tried to rekindle
the deep friendship with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the USA who were unhappy with
the Nawaz government for different reasons. Some successful moves of strategic
cooperation have again befriended these estranged countries who at times have
conflicting interests with each other.

The Bajwa Doctrine is not about the role of a
hateful neighbour trying to destabilise others but establishing Pakistan as a
proud peace-loving country which wants peaceful coexistence with the world. But if provoked,
threatened or pressurised it will show its full muscle power to the enemy to
prove its strong commitment to the motherland.

About India on the eastern border, the doctrine understands
that there can be no war between two neighbouring nuclear countries. It thinks
that India though stubborn for the time being because of extremist Modi regime
but within two to three years due to its growing economy will realise the need
of a peace dialogue with Pakistan. The doctrine till then will continue its
wait and see policy about India. The doctrine continues its engagement policy
with the USA but this time Pakistan is not ready to be involved in the
infighting within Afghanistan.

Counter-terrorism strategy:

The Bajwa Doctrine focuses on the internal security and
believes in totally wiping out terrorism from Pakistan. It is making sure that
no safe havens be spared for the terrorists. The doctrine’s only priority is
Pakistan. The old idea of distinguishing between good or bad Taliban seems
to have died down. The doctrine has fought against terrorism of every hue
and colour. Gen Bajwa and his team has a clear vision of peaceful and
prosperous Pakistan and they want to make Pakistan totally violence free. They
want the militant groups to be de-weaponised and brought to the mainstream like
Ireland and other strife-stricken countries where warring groups were dealt in
an ideal way.

Gen Bajwa had met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and told him
that as a first step both, Afghanistan and Pakistan should stop being used
against each other. The border fencing on the Pak Afghan border is the hallmark
achievement of the Bajwa Doctrine which will benefit both the neighbours.

The Bajwa doctrine stands for regional peace
and, like China, wants to make peace with India while keeping our differences
on core issues. The doctrine is ready for peaceful negotiations but without
compromising on the Kashmir issue. The doctrine is fully aware of the Chinese
advice to Pakistan that instead of war, other peaceful measure be negotiated
for Kashmir issue.

The Bajwa doctrine is fully aware of the international
perspective since the general himself had been in UN Peacekeeping Force
interacting with different nationalities. The doctrine analysed the USA-Canada
business relationship and reached to the conclusion that initially Canada was
at loss but now it’s in profit. This example can help Pakistan to develop trade
with China and India taking care of our own business interests.

The doctrine wants good relationship with the USA and is
ready to work with them on the controversial issues. The vision negates any
idea of direct or indirect war with former ally USA and stresses the need of
resolving all issues through dialogue.

The doctrine has painstakingly worked on improving
relationship with Iran and Gen Bajwa’s visit to Iran and Iranian foreign
minister Jawad Zarif’s visit to Pakistan are being considered as very fruitful.
The Bajwa Doctrine has successfully mended the damage done to Pak-Saudi
relations during the last regime of Nawaz Sharif. It has also normalised the
relations with UAE which seemed to be at loggerheads during the Sharif regime
because of the issue of voting for Turkey instead of UAE for EXPO 2020.

Roots of the Command:

Gen Bajwa, though a continuation of the superb military
leadership who are professionally trained to the perfection, yet like US
President Woodrow Wilson who gave the idea of the League of the Nations for the
peaceful world after the Second World War, Gen Bajwa is a brave commander ready
to fight against every enemy but at the same time he is kind at heart who wants
to see this world peaceful.

Political Vision:

Like all great setups, the doctrine has certain flaws as
well. The doctrine is gullible on some hot and controversial issues. The love
of the institution makes it gullible.

The doctrine sometimes believes in the raw stories
presented to it by its own intelligence system. Despite these usual flaws,
the Bajwa doctrine is sure that the Panama JIT was totally unbiased. It is also
dead sure that no pressure was exerted on the judiciary by any agency.

So Bajwa doctrine clearly says that army had no
direct role in politics and it takes exception to mention of army in ousting
Nawaz Sharif. This doctrine is of the view that Panama descended upon Nawaz
Sharif accidentally and army did not play any role in the court decision
against him. Rather Gen Bajwa told PM Nawaz Sharif soon after becoming COAS
that he will stand by the government except in the Panama case. The unauthentic
journalistic feel is that about 70 per cent of Panama material was provided by
the dear and near ones of Nawaz Sharif while only 30 per cent was collected by
JIT itself.

The doctrine fully knows that some states had their own
complaints against Sharifs so they also wilfully provided proof against them.
Recently, the UK has also sent money laundering report of the Sharif family.

Gen Bajwa even wanted to write to the Supreme Court of
Pakistan to exclude military men from JIT. He, however, did not do so on the
pretext that the Supreme Court might consider it as an effort to jeopardise the
proceedings of the court.

The Bajwa Doctrine has wilfully taken a soft look and it
does not want to repeat the cruelties committed during the Zia regime. The
doctrine has to retreat on certain issues like creating forward bloc because it
strictly avoided using brutal force. The doctrine is so soft that when Nawaz
Sharif complained to the army chief that a brigadier in Panama JIT was harsh
with Mian Tariq Shafi, he personally made sure that this type of complaint is
never repeated. The general feeling in the establishment is that 18th Amendment
has become a major cause of unbalance between Federation and the provinces. The
provinces do not have the capacity to handle Higher Education Commission and
nor do have the means to deal with law and order. The doctrine will be happy to
do away with 18th Amendment to which it sees more dangerous than six points of
Sheikh Mujeeb. The perception is that the amendment has changed Pakistan from a
Federation to confederation.

The doctrine has strong commitment to democracy but the
“soft spoken Bajwa” would not like to be remembered as Nero playing flute when
Rome was on fire. Gen Bajwa was in a position to impose the martial law on the
eve of Khadim Rizvi Dharna when attacks were being carried out on the houses of
N leaders but he did not go for this option because of his commitment to
democracy.

The doctrine stands by the Supreme Court and other institutions
and is bound by Article 68 of the constitution to do this. Any effort to
subvert the working of the institutions would mean that redlines has been be
crossed.

Financial Management:

The professionals of the Bajwa doctrine totally reject Ishaq
Dar’s financial vision and feels he damaged the state by his policies. The
doctrine is however happy with new chap Miftah Ismail and his financial vision.
The analysts believe that the financial management of Zardari despite oil
crisis was better than the Sharifs. Zardari enhanced the exports while Dar
failed miserably due to artificially holding dollar price under strict control.
The doctrine is more interested in imposing financial and educational emergency
rather than wasting money on Metros and Motorways. The doctrine is also unhappy
on throwing away 120 billion rupees in the name of Benazir Income Support
Program and would like to convert this huge fund to some purposeful means.

Historic roots:

Pakistan Army is much above caste and creed or ethnic and
religious divides and all selections are done much above these relationships.

Gen Bajwa, if seen in the continuation of Pakistani
perspective, is the first Jat son of the soil who has been given military
command of the army in the 70 years of national history. It was 170 years
earlier when the last native son of the soil, another Jat of the Sindhu clan,
Gen Sher Singh Attariwalla, fought valiantly at the battlefield of
Chillianwala, District Gujrat – the same district Gen Bajwa’s Warraich mother
belonged to. The battle of Chillianwala was the only war won against the
British in 100 years of colonial history of this land.

Quite interestingly, though Gen Sher Singh was the commander
of Sikh army, 1,500 Afghan Muslims warriors led by Dost Muhammad Khan were also
part of his force. Later, Gen Sher Singh had to surrender like the last Mughal
king, Bahadar Shah Zafar, or like the French hero, Napoleon Bonaparte. Gen Sher
Singh met the same fate as of abovementioned great heroes and remained exiled
to Banaras till his last breath.

Gen Bajwa, the 16th commander of Pakistan Army, belongs to
the 62nd course.

The whole world knows that the selection process in the army
is purely merit based. The appointment of 16 army chiefs in the last 70 years
shows the regional and ethnic diversity of military leadership. Coming from
different areas, distant places and diverse communities, they represent the
institution like a single unit. It is interesting to go through the chiefs’
native districts and their respective clans to prove the diversity within the
military. The list of Pakistan’s army chiefs along with their native districts
and their respective clans is as follows:

Gen Kayani was a chain-smoking philosopher general who was
best to the minutest details, while Gen Raheel was more concerned about his
image making rather than merely focusing on his professional work. Gen Kayani
prepared the army for anti-terrorism narrative and successfully transformed the
troops from jihadi mindset to the national narrative. Gen Raheel asserted his
role as against the civilian rule but by the end of his career he did not leave
his lasting effect on army and the country. In contrast, Gen Bajwa is totally
at ease with himself, no pomp and show, humble and human. No fake pride and no
tall claims.

He has no pretensions of being philosophical or having deep
wisdom. He has no wish of false image making. He is not interested in any
conspiracy to take the reins of power. He wants to retire at the end of his
tenure and will not seek any extension. He is making no effort to become the
greatest general or the field marshal of this country because he is contented
on what he has already got.

He is neither stiff necked and robotic like Raheel and nor
unpredictable and deep thinking like Gen Kayani. He is sociable and close to
the realities of life and wants to resolve the issues by actions in the right
direction. Above all, this doctrine is ready to listen and learn from its
mistakes. The general himself like Gen Musharraf is a patient listener and
appreciative of rational thinking. He is warm during socialising and takes deep
and affectionate interest in intrinsic human relationships.

The success of any doctrine is not measured by intentions
but by the results. The history will judge this doctrine as the others were
judged by the deliverance. It is common practice that the people in power
forget their main focus and spend most the time on trivialities. Securing
Pakistan from external threats, transforming the fictional state narrative
closer to the facts and strengthening political and economic system are the
needs of present times. Let see whether the doctrine passes the test of time or
not.

About Me

Dr Shabir Choudhry has done extensive research on the issue of Kashmir and Indo Pakistan relations. He passed BA Honours in Politics and History, and Mphil in International Relations (title of the thesis, ‘Kashmir and Partition of India’); and title of his PhD thesis is ‘Kashmir- An issue of a nation not a dispute of a land’.

Apart from this Dr Shabir Choudhry passed Post Graduates Certificates in Education, and NVQ Assessor’s qualifications; and taught English in London.

Political Achievements

Founder member of JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front established in 1977) and got elected as a Press Secretary in 1984.

Became its Secretary General in 1985, and resigned from this post in 1996.

Got elected President of JKLF and Europe in May 1999, and decided not to contest in elections of July 2001.

Said good - bye to the JKLF as it is in many groups and is largely seen as advancing a Pakistani agenda on Kashmir dispute, and set up a new party Kashmir National Party in May 2008.

.

At present, he is:

·Spokesman Kashmir National Party and Director Diplomatic Committee;

·Spokesman for International KashmirAlliance;

·Founder member and Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs;

Previously

·A founder Member and Trustee/ Director of London based registered charity, Kashmir Foundation International and resigned from this position in August 2001.

·Regularly take part in the Sessions of the UN Human Rights (Commission) now Council in Geneva; and address various conferences and seminars to oppose violence and highlight the Kashmir cause.

·Participated in a Round Table Conference on Kashmir, organised by Socialist Group of European Parliament in Brussels in 1993.

·Addressed as a Chief Guest in a seminar on issue of Mangla Dam during the UN Sub Commission’s proceedings in August 2003.

·Addressed as a key - note speaker in a seminar on the issue of Gilgit and Baltistan, organised by Association of British Kashmiris.

·Addressed as a keynote speaker on human rights conference in Paris in 1991.

·Addressed at CambridgeUniversity as a Chief Guest in a conference on Kashmir in 1990.

·Addressed as a keynote speaker at New Delhi conference on Kashmir, which was part of Track Two diplomacy in November 2000.

·In September 2008, addressed a Conference arranged by Interfaith International in Geneva, topic of which was:“Kashmir Issue, Terrorism and Human Rights”.

·Addressed as a speaker in a NGO Conference on Self - Determination in Geneva in August 2000.

·Addressed as a keynote speaker in a fringe meeting of Liberal Democrats at their Annual Conference in Brighton in 1995.

·Participated in World Human Rights Conference in Vienna in 1993.

·Before President Clinton's visit to India and Pakistan in 2000, lead a JKLF delegation to the State Department to discuss Kashmir dispute and situation in South Asia.

·Also had two rounds of meetings with senior State Department officials before President Musharraf’s meeting to Washington in June 2003.

·Apart from that had meetings with senior officials including Ministers of different countries, and also held many meetings with the State Department and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on number of occasions.

·Played important role in advancing a Kashmiri perspective on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir; and also helped Baroness Emma Nicholson with her report ‘Kashmir: present situation and future prospects’, which was adopted by the European Parliament in May 2007.

·Won first prize in an essay competition in Urdu in 1976. It was organised by High Commission of Pakistan in London, and title of the essay was 'Qaaid-e- Azam's role in Islamic History'.

·Apart from that have addressed conferences in Brussels, Geneva, Toronto, Islamabad, Delhi, and

Publications

·Got first Urdu novel ‘Fareena’ published at the age of eighteen.

·Second Urdu novel ‘Bay-Khataa’ which was about the problems of Asian youths living in UK published in 1983.

·Third Urdu book ‘Pakistan and Kashmiri struggle for independence’ published in 1990.

·Fourth Urdu book is also on Kashmiri struggle, 'Is an independent Kashmir a conspiracy?'

·Apart from that has twenty books and booklets published in English on various aspects of the Kashmiri struggle.

·Recent publications are: Kashmir dispute as I see it

·Different perspective on Kashmir

·JKLF visit to Pakistan Administered Kashmir

·Kashmir Needs Change of Heart

·If not self - determination then what?

·Emma Nicholson report- who has won?

·Struggle for independence, Jihad or proxy war (Introduction by Baroness Emma Nicholson)

·

Future publications

Following books were completed some time ago and shall be published in near future:

In Search of Freedom - My visit to Srinagar and Islamabad

Kashmir and Partition of India

A brief background

Dr Shabir Choudhry was born in a small village called Nakker Shimali (near Panjeri) in District Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. He went to UK in 1966, and like other people from the region, holds a dual nationality. He left secondary school in 1970 with no qualifications and began his life as a textile worker.

In 1975 he started part time studies and passed Matriculation from Government High School Panjeri, passed ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels from UK, and resumed full time degree course in 1981, and passed BA (Hons) in Politics and History in 1984.

He continued full time and part time jobs until he got his Mphil. He passed his PGCE (Post Graduates Certificate in Education) in 1990, and then started full time job as a Lecturer. Due to health problems he resigned from teaching in 1999. At present he is self - employed, provides private tuition, translation and interpretation and consultancy.

Through out his adult life he has actively worked for the cause of Kashmir, and even during long illness he effectively carried out his responsibilities as a leader of the JKLF, a ‘prolific writer’ and consistent campaigner of Rights Movement and peace in Jammu and Kashmir and South Asia.